Death of former UW football star linked to cocaine

SEATTLE — The death of former first-round NFL draft pick Reggie Rogers has been linked to cocaine.

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office said today that Rogers’ death in October was due to a combination of cocaine and alcohol intoxication. Officials determined his death was accidental.

Rogers was a former star at the University of Washington and was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1987 ahead of Hall of Fame defensive back Rod Woodson and quarterback Jim Harbaugh. His NFL career stalled after he was sentenced to prison for a car crash that killed three teenagers.

Rogers’ older brother followed a similar path from college stardom to the NFL to tragedy. Don Rogers, who played two seasons with the Cleveland Browns, died of a heart attack linked to drug use in 1986.

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